Helen Althea Kinney

Memorial services for Helen Althea (Wright) Kinney, 92, of Sperry, OK, were held Friday, January 3, 2020 at Skiatook Church of Christ in Skiatook, OK. Russell Hill, Minister of Skiatook Church of Christ officiated. Casket bearers were Walter Erwin, Jake Erwin, Matthew Erwin, Blake Eller, Kyler Erwin, Lucas Eller, Tyler Erwin, and Matthew Parker. Honorary Casket bearers were the Will Rogers High School Class of 1945.

Helen was born August 16, 1927 in Tulsa, OK to Herbert Dumont and Kathryn (Ford) Wright. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on Christmas Day, December 25, 2019 in Broken Arrow, OK.

She grew up in Tulsa, OK and graduated from Will Rogers High School in May 1945 at 17 years old and married Karl Kinney one week later on June 3, 1945. They were married 74 years.

Helen loved to sing and sang in a trio at Will Rogers H.S. and as a soloist at many other events. She sang on various cruises she and Karl took and performed several times in Branson at various shows. She also wrote the words and music to a song she got copyrighted in 2018 called “Tulsa Town”. Helen and Karl bought a 70-acre farm in 1953. They became farmers with milk cows, chickens, hogs, horses, turkeys and lots of dogs, not to mention two little kids, Danny and Kathy.
Helen also had a full-time job working as a secretary mostly for oil and pipeline companies. They attended the Eastside Church of Christ for many years and later Skiatook Church of Christ. She loved to travel and planned all of the family vacations that took the family across the United States by Tent, Volkswagen camper, Truck with a camper and sometimes a nice hotel. She loved to collect a plate from each state she visited.  Later Helen planned many cruises for her and Karl. They both loved sailing and Karl especially since he was a Merchant Marine in WWII.  Other hobbies were Toy Trains and a barn was built to house the fabulous train layout. Her favorite thing to collect was Shirley Temple Dolls since Shirley was popular and about her age.  Helen, actually, now that we think of it, loved to collect just about anything - here are just a few of her other collections - Will Rogers Memorabilia, Thimbles, Milk Glass, Bricks and stones from old buildings in downtown Tulsa, Royal Copenhagen Blue Christmas plates.  Helen also loved to plant a huge vegetable garden every year and then can jars and jars of the produce.  She also had a passion for growing flowers and had a wonderful greenhouse where her favorite flowers were Orchids. Most importantly, Helen loved the Lord with all her heart and loved singing praises to him. She was a devoted wife and mother who made many sacrifices for her family and raised her children to love and serve the Lord.

We all love you Mom, Momkin, Helen and we will miss your love, your smile, your sweet voice, and the happiness you gave to all of us.

She is survived by her husband, Karl Kinney of Tulsa; son, Danny Kinney and wife, Donna of Goochland, VA; daughter, Kathy Erwin and husband, Walt of Tulsa, OK, grandchildren, Matt Erwin and wife Niki of Jenks, OK, Holly (Erwin) Eller and husband Blake of Mounds, OK, Kyler Erwin and wife, Ashley of Jenks, OK, Ashley Kinney Parker and husband, Matt of Goochland, VA; eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jake, Avery, and Ellis Erwin, Lucas Eller, Eisley and Benzli Erwin, Madilynn Parker, and one more on the way!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Katherine Wright.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Memorial donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Hope Harbor, Inc. Claremore, OK or to the Skiatook Church of Christ.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.